Government plans for police privatisation

[Pete]

Just read about the government's plans to privatise the police force. 

I think this could have a massive effect on society, not necessarily when first introduced, more likely as they are given more powers.

"The home secretary, Theresa May, who has imposed a 20% cut in Whitehall grants on forces, has said frontline policing can be protected by using the private sector to transform services provided to the public"

No doubt all the usual suspects (pardon the pun) will be up for the contracts - more wealth to their Tory friends and less wages to the "private contractor" on the beat.

Good idea - bad idea?

[Stuart]

"For a one-off payment of only £50, you have the right to remain silent..."

[k4blades]

I thought the Met was privately funded anyway, via the Murdoch newspapers.

[therealjr]

So what's New?
Once upon a time the police were responsible for all law and order issues.
What do we have now? PCSO's (police on the cheap) Town Centre wardens, shopping centre security officers, Guardian Angels, Riot vigilante groups, what will one more be?
To be honest half the time the police bring this sort of thing on themselves because they have lost sight of what they are supposed to be doing.
I'll give you a for instance. Some years ago now I applied for a job with the police as an admin manager. Think the salary was about £25k at the time.
Before they got to the interview stage they had a rethink and put a police Inspector into the post. On £42k So they took a policeman away from their real work and effectively overpaid £15k.
There are too many officers doing admin jobs, liaison jobs and basically everything except being out on the streets arresting people.

[Slacker]

I thought the Met was privately funded anyway, via the Murdoch newspapers.

[Pete]

Sorry Jon, totally agree, but K4 nailed it.

[k4blades]

When ever public bodies talk about privatising some of their services they justify it on cost. So surely the obvious question is how come a private company, (that needs to make a profit), can provide a service for less than a publc body.
I do think private companies do have a completey different mentality when it comes to spending money, and if public bodies learnt to work  that way, (as Jon suggests), then there would be no need to farm the work out.

[Fly]

I think it's a brilliant idea. Loads more feet on the street without the power of arrest 

[simondjuk]

Whats the point if the private companies dont have the power of arrest?  So for example if the catch someone in the act of rape, do they just have to stand there?  I appreciate its an extreme of what could happen, but it could happen

Or am I missing something?

[Slacker]